Saturday, November 22, 2008

13.1

Two weeks from today, on December 6, Christian and I will be walking the St. Jude Memphis Half-Marathon to raise money and awareness for this outstanding hospital. We are doing it for Carson.

We are also doing it for EVERY CHILD WHO HAS EVER BEEN AFFECTED BY CHILDHOOD CANCER.

St. Jude has been so good to our family. I truly believe that my nephew Carson would not be with us today without the doctors and staff at St. Jude. In 2004, Carson was diagnosed with nodular medulloblastoma (a brain tumor) before he was a year old. He was only the 30th case in the WORLD ever diagnosed with this particular type of cancer. He has undergone more surgeries than I can count, months of chemotherapy and afterward, months of radiation. Today he is a happy kindergartner with a smile that lights up a room and his story has touched THOUSANDS of people. Isn't he CUTE?

We will also be walking in memory of Jim's mom who just lost her battle with cancer. With your help, maybe our kids will be the last generation to know first-hand the horrors of this disease.

St. Jude treats over 5,000 patients ever year. The DAILY operating cost of the hospital is nearly $1.3 million, which is primarily covered by public contributions. St. Jude never turns away any patient, regardless of his family's ability to pay.

In 1962, when St. Jude's opened, the cure rate for medulloblastoma (Carson's cancer) was only 10%. Today the cure rate at 5 years out is 85%. Because of your support more research can be done and hopefully one day soon the cure rate will be 100%.

I feel so lucky to participate in this event and I know that it will be a December tradition for many years to come. If you would like to read more about Carson's story, click here. If you would like to donate towards our walk, click here. Whether or not you decide to donate, please kiss your kids tonight and thank God for their health and remember the many families who are praying for a cure.